Crocuses and snow for the snow moon!

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 The new moon on  February 9  that marked the Lunar New Year is a full moon, now.  It's the second full moon of 2024---the snow moon! 

Yes, there have been big snows in  February in past years,   this year there has not been so much snow. 

Chicago's fleet of snowplows are ready and waiting. There is one called "Skilling It" named for beloved meteorologist Tom Skilling, who is retiring at the end of February.

According to Tom Skilling, the combination of El Nino and a warming climate have made this is the warmest February in 153 years!   

And there are crocuses blooming in sunny yards already.  Leaves of daffodils, buds on the the magnolias and the ginkgo trees. 

This early springlike warmth is tempting to go out and work in the garden,  but it is really too early to plant things.   Don't cut back last summer's flower stalks--there are still insects hibernating in them.  Cover those peony shoots, for now. 

Yes, I saw crocuses blooming on Friday morning--February 23.  Then, clouds and a cold front in the afternoon. And in the evening, snow falling for the snow moon!

 

 

Happy Lunar New Year!

  

The new moon on February 10 marked the start of the Lunar New Year---the year of the Wood Dragon in the Chinese zodiac.  Lunar New Year  is a spring festival--feasting and dancing, exchanging wishes for prosperity, good health,  and good luck.

There are more spring festivals coming.   There is Mardi Gras on February 13, Valentines Day on February 14.  And pitchers and catchers report on February 14 and 15!  

And everywhere here there are signs of spring---buds and new leaves.  There is  more light every day. Since the winter solstice, we have gained  1 hour and 23 minutes of daylight!

Early Spring for a day

 

Sun and Sunday, February 4th. The groundhogs have spoken.  It was overcast in Woodstock, Il and Punxatauny, PA, so they did not see their shadows. This means an early spring. With blue sky, sun and temperatures in the 40's it feels like Spring for a day, today.  

I hope whatever you do today--running errands, riding a bus, walking your dog,  let the blue sky and sun be with you. Look at the signs of spring around you. 

Here are the buds on the magnolias. Here are the first green leaves of the daffodils.  Soon, the crocus flowers, and the red shoots of the peonies....

Groundhog Day!

Hooray, hooray, it's February, and about halfway between the winter solstice and the spring equinox!

 

 

February 1 and 2 was and still is celebrated as a pagan holiday---Imbolc, the beginning of the end of winter. There would be feasts and gatherings, preparation for spring and growing season. The flower of Imbolc is the snowdrop, one of the first flowers to emerge in the lengthening and warming days. 

 

This holiday is also known as Candelmas,  a Christian festival that falls 40 days after Christmas. It is a festival of light, again to mark the longer days.

But in these times, February 2  is best known as Groundhog Day. People gather to celebrate Punxutawney Phil, in Pennsylvania, and Woodstock Willie, in Woodstock Illinois, where the movie Groundhog Day was filmed.  

 

So, will we have an early Spring, or  six more weeks of winter?

 

If the groundhog sees his shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter.  Why? Sun and clear sky, the ground is colder.

 

No shadow means overcast, and the ground is warmer, and early spring!